It could be a good one this year. Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been announced as the guest director for the Brighton Festival in 2024. For those that don’t know him, he is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter.

He is from Liverpool and started writing for various soaps before moving to the big screen in the 90s. He has done several films with Michael Winterbottom and he even wrote the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. His books appear to be mainly children’s books with a few Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sequels thrown in for good measure.

On becoming Guest Director, Frank said

“What a thrill and what a challenge to be asked to help put together Brighton Festival 2024. In the 70s Keith Waterhouse famously said, “Without putting your finger on it, you always get the feeling that Brighton is up to something.”  In 2024 I’m hoping that Brighton is up FOR something – for everything.  Brighton’s a special place – with its love of liberty, style and the salty sea.  Unlike nearly everywhere else in Britain, Brighton seems to look to the future. That spring in Brighton’s elegant step is hope. If we can celebrate that for a few days then maybe we can spread a little seaside illumination over the rest of the land.”

If his ideas for the festival are half as inventive as the Olympic Ceremony was then we should be in for quite a festival.